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Restoran Aik Yuen

Hidden behind a wing of KPJ Tawakkal Specialist Hospital is Restoran Aik Yuen (亿园茶餐室). Some people claim that it is the best chu char (煮炒) restaurant in Setapak, or even the entire Kuala Lumpur. This no-frills eatery takes advantage of the curb and road in front to place additional dining tables.

The kitchen is not inside the restaurant, but is instead located across the road. There are three chefs that man separate cooking stations. Like many such stalls throughout Klang Valley, this restaurant offers stir-fried cooking such as meats, vegetables and noodles.

The signature dish here is Hokkien Char (福建炒, RM18.00). The main appeal of this style of stir-fried noodles is its thick, black soy-based sauce that carries sweet-savory goodness.

This plate of noodles has generous amount of shrimps, pork slices and pork lard (猪油渣). Unfortunately, it is somewhat lacking in terms of "wok hei" (镬气).

Another noodle dish is Moonlight Hor Fun (月光河, RM20.00). Raw eggs are dropped on top of stir-fried flat noodles (河粉) such that the yolks resemble full moons. Not to worry about raw eggs because they become partially cooked when they come in contact with warm noodles.

Overall, the noodle dishes at Restoran Aik Yuen are not as impressive as I would have expected for one from Ulu Yam. Considering its inconvenient location and run-down state, the food here is rather expensive. It is possible to get much better food elsewhere in Kuala Lumpur.